Who will retire on an old-age pension in 2026: the new retirement age, required years of service, and the list of preferential categories

      dzen.ru

      From 2026, Russia will continue implementing the pension reform that envisages a phased increase in the retirement age. This is the next stage of the transition period during which the age limits for entitlement to the insurance pension for old age are gradually being raised. Besides age, requirements for the number of pension points and minimum insurance work experience remain in force. This review provides detailed information on who will be entitled to a pension in 2026 and on what grounds.

      Conditions for receiving an insurance pension in 2026

      To be eligible for an old-age insurance pension in 2026, citizens will need to meet three mandatory conditions simultaneously:

      1. Age

      In 2026 the retirement age will be as follows:

      – men born in 1962 will be able to claim a pension at 64;

      – women born in 1967 — at 59.

      This value is set within the reform and will increase to the final ages — 65 for men and 60 for women.

      The final retirement age will already apply to men born in 1963 and women born in 1968.

      2. IPC (pension points)

      To qualify for the insurance pension in 2026, at least 30 points will be required. This is the final threshold and will no longer increase. Points are accrued for each year of official employment depending on salary levels and insurance contributions, as well as for some periods equated to employment.

      3. Insurance work record

      Since 2024 the minimum duration of the insurance work record has been fixed at 15 years. This is a fixed value and is not planned to be revised. Without the required work record the insurance pension is not granted, and the citizen can only claim a social pension — which is granted 5 years later than the established retirement age.

      Pension under the "old" rules

      If a person reached retirement age before 2026 but did not apply for a pension due to a shortage of work record or points, then if the conditions are met in 2026 the pension is granted according to the rules that were in force at the time the age was reached. For example, a woman born in 1964 who reached retirement age in 2020 was required to have 11 years of insurance service. If the service was lacking then but is accrued by 2026, the pension will be granted under the previous requirements.

      What counts toward the insurance work record

      In addition to official employment, the record includes socially significant periods:

      – compulsory military service;

      – childcare leave (up to 1.5 years per child, no more than 6 years in total);

      – registration with the employment center and receipt of unemployment benefits;

      – caring for a child with a disability, a person with a Group I disability, or a person over 80;

      – participation in the special military operation (including in volunteer formations) — counted double.

      Retirement for long service

      Citizens with substantial work records may use the right to retire early — two years before the standard term. In 2026:

      – women with 37 years of service (born in 1968) will be able to retire at 58;

      – men with 42 years of service (born in 1963) — at 63.

      However, only years of official employment in the Russian Federation and paid sick leave are counted toward such service. Maternity leave, caregiving for elderly persons and study are not included. Exceptions are compulsory military service and participation in the SMO (counted double).

      Who is entitled to age-related benefits

      Several categories have the right to retire earlier than usual:

      Mothers with many children

      – women with 5 children — at 50;

      – with 4 children — at 56;

      – with 3 children — at 57.

      In 2026 this applies to women:

      – born in 1969 — if they have three children;

      – born in 1970 — if they have four;

      – born in 1976 — if they have five or more children.

      A mandatory condition is having 15 years of insurance work record, but periods of maternity leave are included in it.

      Parents of children with disabilities

      – a mother can claim a pension at 50 with 15 years of service;

      – a father — at 55 with 20 years of service.

      The family chooses who will use the right to early retirement.

      Persons with disabilities

      Some disabled persons, depending on the disability group and cause (for example, a service injury), can count on earlier retirement if they have the minimum work record. Conditions in such cases are individual.

      Unemployed near-retirees

      The employment center can direct a person to retire two years before the established age if a worker dismissed due to redundancy has the required work record (20 years for women, 25 for men), points and cannot find employment. In practice such cases are rare, but in 2026 this is possible, for example, for women born in 1968 (at 58) and men born in 1963 (at 63).

      Pension for northerners

      To qualify for a "northern" pension in 2026:

      – men born in 1967 and women born in 1972 can retire provided:

      • total work record — 25 years for men and 20 for women;

      • work in the Far North — at least 15 years (or 20 years in regions equated to the Far North).

      Mixed service is also taken into account: 12 months in an equated locality are considered equivalent to 9 months in Far North conditions.

      Pension based on special length of service

      – Teachers, doctors, performers and other categories of workers in special occupations can receive a pension five years after reaching the required special length of service (for example, 25 years for teachers). In 2026 those who completed the required service in 2021 will be able to receive a pension.

      – Workers in hazardous and heavy professions under Lists No. 1 and No. 2 also retain the right to early retirement. The retirement age for them has not changed. It is important that the employer paid increased contributions to the Social Fund of Russia for them.

      How to check your pension data

      The following methods are available to check work record and pension points:

      – the Gosuslugi portal (statement from the individual personal account);

      – personal account on the Social Fund of Russia website;

      – visiting an SFR client service office.

      What to do if work record is insufficient

      Before 2026 there are ways to make up the missing service:

      – continue official employment;

      – register with the employment service and receive benefits;

      – formalize caregiving for an elderly person or a person with a disability;

      – pay voluntary contributions. In 2025 the minimum payment is 59,241.6 rubles — it will provide one year of service and about 1 point. Staged payment is possible. Maximum — up to 7.5 years.

      Conclusion

      The pension system requires attention and planning. Before 2026 it is important to check your readiness for retirement: whether you have the required work record, enough points and the right age. Timely planning will help avoid delays and receive entitled payments without hassle. All data can be clarified with the SFR or via digital services.

      Azalia Urazbaeva